Home Skeleton
It's really fun
ADDED February 26, 2010
The "skeleton" is an Olympic event in which a competitor races downhill, face down on a sled.
It is very exciting, and at times, the rider's head is a mere two inches from the ice. Last time I checked, we don't have an ice run at our house (or a skeleton sled for that matter.) However, my kids and I decided we would figure out a way to make our very own, "home" version of this sport. . . .
Broom Hockey
Soon To Be An Olympic Event Maybe
ADDED February 25, 2010
For the remainder of this week, we are creating ideas to bring the Winter Olympics into your home. We are hoping to get everyone cheering for Team USA (and get everyone enjoying some time outside.)
Today's feature is "broom hockey," a simple game played with brooms and a round ball. No special gear is required, and you can play with just a few kids or the whole neighborhood.
Ice Dancing
No ice required
ADDED February 24, 2010
As you know, we have been involved in the Winter Olympics. We've been cheering, strategizing, and and crying along with the athletes. All the while, we've been "trying" many of the sports in our living room and yard. Curling has grabbed our imagination, along with snowboarding and speed skating. But ice dancing has really proved to be the most popular, fun, and inspiring.
To re-create some ice dancing in your home, your kids need to be wearing some of these "skates."
Home Luge
It's Smaller Than You Think
ADDED February 23, 2010
With a tape measure, a few marbles, and some scotch tape, we created a home luge that can be set up anywhere. The tape measure acts as the track -- a marble fits perfectly inside -- and the scotch tape holds everything in place. With the littlest push, the race is on. We installed our luge from the top to the bottom of the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, we put a small blanket to catch the racers. Once the track is built, let the fun -- and your kids' imaginations run wild!
(If we had two tape measures, I imagine we could have set up a marble vs. marble race, but the single track was still a lot of fun.)
Did you do this activity? Please leave a comment and let us know!
Reading chair
Or Reading Place
ADDED February 22, 2010
I had a professor in college that suggested two different kinds of chairs for reading: a chair that was a little uncomfortable with a straight back that would be used for reading technical things technical or academic things. The other was a soft, cushy chair that you could use for free reading. I think the idea was to make it hard to go to sleep while reading material that was dry. You could go to sleep, though, if you wanted, for free reading.
As my kids get older and are reading more for school and for pleasure, my lovely wife and I have realized . . .
